Pakistani policemen stand guard in the middle of a road in a tense area of Karachi on June 14, 2011. A fresh wave of violence blamed on political and ethnic tensions killed at least 12 people in Pakistan's biggest city of Karachi overnight, officials said. Tensions are high between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP), which represent different ethnic communities and straddle volatile political fault lines. Killings have been blamed on their loyalists. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Upto 33 people were killed through out the day in Karachi as the recent wave of target killings continued for a third day. The situation prompted the Sindh Government to issue ‘shoot at sight orders’.

In one of the worst forms of attacks during the day, armed men attacked three buses, killing 13 passengers and injuring 20 others.

The MQM, which was rumoured to have called a strike, has announced a day of mourning for Friday.

Meanwhile, transporters union had issued a strike call for Friday.

President Zardari too had taken notice of the worsening law and order situation in the city and demanded a report of the situation. He has also asked Interior Minister Rehman Malik to travel to Karachi and help formulate a strategy to bring peace in the port city.

End of live updates.

11:30pm

Sindh government has decided to give ‘shoot at sight’ powers to police and law enforcement agencies against those suspected to be involved in target killings in Karachi. This was decided at a meeting held at CM House late on Thursday.

During the meeting, the IGP and CCPO briefed the CM about the worsening law and order situation in which 64 people had lost their lives within 72 hours. Shah directed the IGP to beef up police forces in troubled areas.

On the other hand, the President while talking notice of the recent spate of target killings has asked Federal Interior Miniter Rehman Malik to travel to Karachi. Sources said that Rehman Malik is expected in arrive Karachi late Thursday or early Friday morning to construct a strategy to deal with the situation and to prosecute the people involved in the menace.

11:10pm

Chief Minister of Sindh, Qaim Ali Shah issued ‘shoot at sight’ orders in a bid to curb growing violence in the city.10:30pm

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that those responsible for the violence in Karachi are enemies of the state.

He urged the public to help the government establish peace.

Malik said that all parties are responsible for maintaining peace in the city.

9:45pm

MQM calls for day of mourning on Friday in wake violence in Karachi. The party urged people to wear black armbands to protest the murder of innocent civilians.

9:40pm

Residents in Orangi are under virtual siege. Stores in the troubled areas have been closed for two days and many people are running out of essential items. “Many people here have run out of their food stocks. There is no milk for children and no chance of patients being shifted to hospitals for treatment,” said Mohammad Asghar, a schoolteacher in the Orangi area.

“We are left at the mercy of trigger-happy scoundrels and the security forces are conspicuous by their absence,” he added.

Even ambulances have not been able to reach troubled spots to collect the dead and wounded.

9:25pm

As a wave of violence gripped the metropolis on Thursday, local Twitterati expressed apprehension over the rise in killings, alongside taking jabs at political parties and security officials for failing to bring the situation under control.

Must gather giant packets of flamin hot cheetos and dr peppers for strike!!!

8:55pm

Express 24/7 correspondent Sabin Agha reports that in all 27 people have been gunned down in the city today in one of the worst days of violence the city has seen since the coalition government came to power.

Three buses were targeted in Banaras which killed 13 people. Armed men attacked passengers aboard buses of route W25, 1D and Mashallah coach.

Five people were killed in Orangi town including a six year old girl.

One person each had been gunned down in Korangi, Baldia, Malir, Ram Swami, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Garden areas of Karachi during the day.

Agha reported that Orangi town had completely shutdown, and any one who ventured into open spaces was fired upon.

8:50pm

According to Express 24/7, today has been one of the worst days in Karachi since violence erupted after the fall of the coalition government in Sindh.
Escalating violence in Qasba Colony has forced residents to relocate to safer places.

8:45pm

President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged residents of Karachi to remain calm. He dispelled reports that the MQM had called for a strike on Friday.

Meanwhile miscreants had reportedly torched a factory in Qasba colony. However, officials of the fire department denied knowledge of any such event.

Traffic near Metro cinema has resumed after armed men had opened fire in the area short while ago.

8:35pm

AFP reports that at least 10 passengers were killed and 20 injured when armed men opened fire on two buses in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, officials said.

“Unknown armed men intercepted two buses on a road in Banaras Chowk neighbourhood and shot indiscriminately on the passengers, killing at least 10 and wounding 20 others,” provincial home ministry official, Sharfuddin Memon, told AFP.

He said identity of the attackers – who escaped via the narrow lanes of the neighbourhood after the assault – was not immediately known.

8:15pm

Unknown miscreants reportedly set six motorcycles on fire at a factory in Qasba colony.

Traffic department reports that the heavy traffic gridlock near National Stadium and Baloch Colony bridges is easing. While traffic on M. A. Jinnah road is less than normal.

8:09pm

The Karachi Transport Union has called a strike in the city till the transporters are provided with protection. President of the union, Irshad Bokhari, says the strike has been called after four buses were targeted by gunmen today.
Meanwhile, Presidency’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar says that President Zardari is gravely concerned about the continuous acts of violence in Karachi. He said the President has summoned a meeting of top level officials to find an end to violence in Karachi.

8:05pm

According to Express 24/7, at least 27 people have been killed in shooting incidents in various areas of Karachi since this morning raising the three-day death toll to 60.

8:00pm

Fuel pumps across the city have shut down causing great difficulty for commuters.
One petrol pump on Khayaban-e-Bahria has been besieged by hundreds of motorists and people seeking fuel in bottles. The pump manager says that the station is almost bone-dry.

Some commuters waiting in line at the pump said that they had been waiting for as long as four hours to top up their tanks, however hundreds of people on foot, carrying bottles and jerry-cans had encircled the lone working pump at the station.

7:50pm

The president of People’s Party’s Karachi division, Syed Najmi Alam, General Secretary and the infromation Secretary Latif Mughal have strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Express television reporters on Thursday. They demanded the government provide security to media-men as well as innocent citizens.

7:35pm

Express 24/7 Reporter Shaheryar Mirza reports 10 killed in firing on a bus in Banaras, two in Qasba, one in Metroville areas of Karachi within the past hour.

7:20pm

President Asif Ali Zardari has demanded a report on the ongoing violence in Karachi.

Five people have been killed as gunmen opened fire on two buses in Banaras colony.

Karachi violence: MQM meeting ends, no strike announced

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) elected representatives will protest against the ongoing wave of violence in Karachi.

MQM Rabita Committee members held a meeting to discuss the ongoing violence in Karachi on Thursday.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, MQM leader Raza Haroon said that the party had taken a number of decisions regarding the inaction over incidents of violence in the city. He said MQM Sindh MPAs will march from Karachi Press Club to the Chief Minister house tomorrow (Friday).

Haroon said the MQM had the option of a strike if the government did not take any action and the situation did not improve in Karachi.

He alleged that security forces were not taking action in areas hit by violence and added that the government was punishing the MQM for leaving the coalition.

MQM protest scheduled

Express 24/7 correspondent, Shaheryar Mirza reported MQM Sindh MPAs will protest outside Karachi Press Club at 3pm tomorrow (Friday). MNAs, MPAs and senators will also protest outside the parliament and the provincial assembly but no date has been given as yet.

Earlier, media reports of the MQM announcing a strike had caused panic across the city, with businesses shutting down and citizens lining up at petrol stations for fuel.

The party has not made any announcement of a strike as yet.

The session was summoned in the backdrop of relentless bloodshed in the city, particularly in localities of Orangi Town, including Gulfamabad, Qasba Colony and the Katti Pahari area.

Violence continues

Eleven people have been killed in different shooting incidents across the city since morning.

Three people were shot dead in Baldia Town, Qasba Colony and Gulistan-e-Johar areas of Karachi. Three others were killed near Makki Masjid in the Garden area.

In the latest episode of violence, two people were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a minibus in Orangi Town.

The Express 24/7 news team was also attacked while covering the situation in Qasba Colony.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has taken notice of the situation and has sought a report from Inspector General of Police (IG) Sindh. He has also issued directives to deploy more security personnel to violence hit areas of the city.

New security team: Eagle Force

IG Sindh Wajid Durrani has said that a new security force, Eagle Force, will be deployed to the violence hit areas of Karachi.

Speaking to trades at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Durrani said the situation in the city was not satisfactory and security agencies were taking steps to restore law and order.

He said criminal elements were trying to create misunderstanding between political groups.

Patriot…I am not sure if you are from karachi or not, if not then visit these areas and you will be able to see for youself who are these ppl. Every tom dick and harry who have know idea about the politics of Karachi, thinks MQM can do anything and everything, but these ppl who are firing from Kati Pahari cannot even be controlled by ANP. Army and Rangers don’t enter in these areas. These ppl ppl do not even care about the poor Pashtun living there, who are also impacted by this violence.Recommend

Karachi is burning :-( who will bring peace to this city?
Senseless killings are going on… Army should be immediately called in to save Karachi, impose curfew and get rid of those bloody rascals who are playing with our lives. May ALLAH save Karachi. AMENRecommend

Why are we killing each other? Why do we hate each other? Speaking one language or the other or belonging to one geographical region or the other doesn’t make any of us superior of inferior.We are all Muslims, pray the same God and follow the same Prophet (PBUH)

God says in Surah Hujrat that “we created the languages and tribes just for identification. Only those who fears their God the most are superior among you”

At another place God says that your different languages and colors are in fact the signs of God’s creativity and not something to fight upon.

@Abdullah… You are right no one is clean, but when ppl fire indiscrimately from the Pahari to the houses below then you can just imagine the possible bloodbath…target killing is one thing, but when ppl freely spray bullets and police or rangers do nothing then there is no hope. This has happened many times before, even before MQM. Recommend

The solution is to arm each and every citizen of Karachi. Give everyone AK-47s and 9mm pistols. And then see if anyone dares to do anything. I am a Karachiite but I have lived a long time in the KPK province. Over there, every single tom, dick and harry owns a rifle and the crime rate over there is much much lower than anywhere else in Pakistan. This is because everyone knows that if anyone starts a bloody rampage in the street, all the passers-by will just pull out their guns and turn the guy into Swiss cheese. Ridding Karachi of weapons is not the answer….because someone somewhere will eventually get their hands on a gun and wreak havoc….and noone will be able to stop that because noone else would have any guns. So, either have the army drop guns by plane, or just start a door to door gun distribution drive….flood this damn city with GUNS.Recommend

for god sake please stop voilance in our city.all communitys come karachi erning money & then they blamed & burn karachi.sir make good policy for people of karachi I give you exampale:like other countrys.like UAE small small states if any one come to other provinance they 1st inform & take 2 month duration pass from sindh goverment.then they take work permit free of cost 2 month they earn money from karachi go back home.make cancencess for year after 1985 if any one not born before 1985 in karachi they must be take pass for enter & work in karachi.i think all problem was resolve if this type of policy make & strongly immplement in karachi.ALLAH HAFIZRecommend

MQM goebbel Haroon was saying that it was absolutely wrong to say that there is firing between two groups. What can one say to these propagandists who want to throw dust in the eyes of the people. These media channels have no guts to call spade a spade or ask direct questions to MQM leaders. What Haroon of MQM meant that there was no involvement whatsoever in the relentless firing in this particular district of Karachi. How can he explain selective murder of five innocent persons who were dragged out a mini bus and brutally murdered. How can such people be called muslims.Recommend

MQM calls for day of mourning on Friday in wake violence in Karachi. The party urged people to wear black armbands to protest the murder of innocent civilians.
Oh what a fitting measure. Definitely this would end the blood shedding in Karachi. Specially the BLACK ARMBAND idea is excellent.
MQM leadership is still behaving like APMSO student leaders protesting in the UK for some transport or canteen issues.Recommend

So very pathetic and shameful. Pakistani rulers have ruined the name and reputation of its country.
It has set a very poor, infact a Hitler type example where people get shot dead out of no where and where people are so oppressed that they are without electricity and proper water supply, where people are afraid to open shops and do business for fear of being robbed at gun point and where the police or law enforcement are so useless, that it appears to be unbelievable and questionable.
A government and leadership that cannot protect the lively hood and security of its people
does not deserve to rule that country. It amounts to Treason brothers and sisters! The lively
hood and daily security of the Pakistani people comes first and foremost.
How much of a blood bath is needed before Army can take over?? Army is needed urgently and Marshall Law needs to be imposed whether the so called greedy politians like it or not. In Pakistan only the Army can be considered care taker of the people. Reality is that now the country has been set back atleast a couple of decades before it can stand on its own. So its only the Army that can heal its wounds, due to its high ethics and care taker promise and guardian for its people. Recommend

Rangers were deployed, primarily, to maintain law and order situation in this misfortunate province more than 20 years ago. However, events after events have clearly shown that Rangers have failed miserably and shamefully in achieving the given target. Instead, they are putting a burden on the economy of province. In addition, they are grabbing land, resources, and demanding more and more privileges day by day. I really do not understand why we need this biased and almost mono-ethnic dominant security force that has not done any good to secure this province and people of Sindh. We, people of Sindh, therefore, demand Sindh Govt. to send them back to federal govt. as soon as possible and deploy local security force composed of permanent residents of Sindh. Recommend

Whatever is happening is Karachi is the real version of an indian movie “Vastav 1” ! .. gangsters who were patronized by politicians are now killing each other after they themselves have got into trouble !!! … Just like that the city is suffering where elites are setlling their scores !!! ….

My suggestion bring Indian Awards to Karachi … atleast all these gangsters would be busy in buying clothes than guns !!!!!! Recommend

salam. Karachi has not been a developed city because of Muhajir only. Pathan,punjabi,baluchi,sindhi brought money and invested in this city. Similarly government of pakistan invested billion of dollars in this city like karachi port, PNS shafa of navy and pakistan steel mills. This city has no natural resources but factories made by all pakistani and mostly punjabi investors and pathan developed transportation system mostly. Similarly Dawood engineering college and jinnah post graduate medical institute and internation airport was not developed by MQM. So this dirty game should be stopped but Rangers morale is very low after the whole country abused law inforcement agency. When 50 soldiers are killed in one day. Then no pakistani weep but when one mulla who challenge writ of government and he die then all pakistani weep so enjoy load shedding and terrorism. You people deserve this.Recommend

So sad to watch all this happening to my beloved city. :(
As usual politicians are fooling the masses and the people are blindly supporting mqm, anp etc.
Even a child knows that this is because of fighting between mqm and anp. Other stakeholders (parties) are not saints but these two are the biggest enemies of this city.

The top chair is as corrupt as these killers otherwise this calls for Army intervention. Let Army patrol every area and kill everyone who brings out a gun, as simple as that.
Let karachiites live in peace. Recommend

@ A Pakistani,
stop beating about the bush and come and see in Karachi who is killing whom. Katti PAhari and Banaras both are tightly controlled areas of ANP where even police and Rangers fear going, and Unfortunately Orangi is connected only via these two areas with the city, after every month or so they block Orangi, Are you blind, deaf & mute, or are you just dumb ???Recommend

Rangers man killed a person, no doubt that was wrong but media showed it non stop for many days, and disgraced the entire force. Now see the negative impact, hundreds innicents are being killed but Rangers men have lost morale and they are reluctant to take daring steps. Recommend

Why do we always hear the word ‘Unknown gunmen or misceants or masked men in motorcycles’ did this or that. This ‘Unknown masked’ killer stuff has been going on for several monthe or even years and what is so pathetic that by now the police has not figured out how to chase these ‘Unknown killer motor cycles in masks’ and make them known by catching them. They had plenty of time to learn, devise, to be swift and alert and effective in catching alive the ‘Unknown masked motorcycle terrorist’ as this has been happening repeatedly for such a long time. What a lost opportunity! All this mutated into a big killing spree. Sorry to say if the police and rangers were doing its job efficiently early on, it would have eliminated the problem and killings that are happening these days. As a result of their ineffeciencies, Pakistan has faced a great loss economically, socially, politically and most of all loss of precious lives.